3
December ranking: 1
Preseason ranking: 4
Signing of Andrew Bynum to an already deep team does not hide that Pacers have slipped in recent weeks or that there is no reason for much concern about a relative slide of a team with the league’s best defense, two All Stars and a snubbed star (Lance Stephenson) with something to prove.

2
December ranking: 2
Preseason ranking: 1
Finally at full strength, the Heat will host the Pistons then Heat take off on a six-game road trip – with the All-Star game in the middle – as a soft schedule so far turns tough.

5
December ranking: 4
Preseason ranking: 22
With no injuries still to the rotation and every starter averaging in double figures, the Blazers show no signs of letting up as they begin a four-game road trip and a much tougher February schedule.

4
December ranking: 3
Preseason ranking: 2
The Spurs, with losses in four of six games, have a long way to go to be whole with Manu Ginobili, Danny Green and Kawai Leonard still out. But they have at least finally begun to trend in that direction with Tiago Splitter’s return.

8
December ranking: 6
Preseason ranking: 5
Chris Paul might not be back by the All Star game, but the Clippers have gone 11-4 since he went out with All Star starter Blake Griffin stepping up as a consistent offensive threat doing much more than bending rims.

7
December ranking: 7
Preseason ranking: 7
The Rockets play seven of the remaining nine games this month on the road, including the season’s longest road trip. They do have days off along the way, playing just two games this week, and finally expect to get Omer Asik back sometime along the way.

6
December ranking: 9
Preseason ranking: 8
After last season’s controversial exclusion from the All Star team, Stephen Curry became Warriors’ first All Star starter since Latrell Sprewell in 1995, putting up the rare combination of leading the league in assists and 3-pointers per game.

9
December ranking: 12
Preseason ranking: 29
Even the injury to Eric Bledsoe has not slowed the league’s biggest surprise success, with Goran Dragic having an All-Star worthy season on his way back to Houston on Wednesday. The Suns swept a four-game road trip, ending in Indianapolis, and play just three of their next 14 games on the road.

13
December ranking: 11
Preseason ranking: 11
With Marc Gasol back and the addition of Courtney Lee, the Grizzlies’ suffocating defense has returned, too. The Grizzlies have won 11 of 12 games, including six straight for the NBA’s longest active winning streak, heading to a showdown with the Thunder in Oklahoma City. They are a league-best 16-5 since Dec. 21.

10
December ranking: 23
Preseason ranking: 21
The trade a Rudy Gay initially seemed to clear the way for Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, but lately Terrence Ross has taken off, putting up consistent numbers along with his career-high 51-point game against the Clippers.

12
December ranking: 10
Preseason ranking: 17
Dirk Nowitzki had consecutive 30-point games for the first time this season and seems to be growing stronger on his way back to the All Star game. But with little chance of contending with the current roster, the Mavs will have to consider moving veterans Shawn Marion and Vince Carter to do at least some rebuilding.

11
December ranking: 17
Preseason ranking: 20
Even without Al Horford – and now with his replacement Pero Antic out – the Hawks have moved to third in the East and Mike Budenholzer deserves coach of the year consideration.

15
December ranking: 15
Preseason ranking: 12
Kevin Love is an All Star and Kevin Martin has had a strong season, but the Timberwolves have not been able to make a consistent run into the Western Conference playoff pack, failing to defend well enough to sustain a winning streak. The injury to Nikola Pekovic will make it tougher to put together run.

16
December ranking: 18
Preseason ranking: 3
If the Bulls could lose or trade another key player or two, they might really make a move. They have responded, even after the stunning trade of Luol Deng, by cranking up their defense, making it the second-best in the NBA.

19
December ranking: 16
Preseason ranking: 13
The Wizards began a five-game homestand with an upset of the Thunder and could make a move to the top half of the Eastern Conference playoff pack. While John Wall averaging career-bests in points and assists per game to earn his first All Star appearance, the Wizards are the only team with six players averaging at least 11 points.

22
December ranking: 25
Preseason ranking: 9
The Nets had turned things around before the schedule got tougher and they took losses to the Raptors, Pacers and Thunder. Still, they could reach .500 by the All-Star break, something that seemed unlikely when they were 9-17 and announced Brook Lopez was out for the season. The latest lineup – with Deron Williams starting again, but with Shaun Livingston in the backcourt and a frontcourt with Joe Johnson and Paul Pierce – could work well.

17
December ranking: 8
Preseason ranking: 14
Ty Lawson, who has had a double-double in 11 of 13 games, is expected back from his shoulder injury on Monday, and none too soon with Nate Robinson out for the season.

23
December ranking: 30
Preseason ranking: 10
The Knicks had been on a bit of a roll before the Heat took them apart on Saturday. But they seemed to have accepted that they can go only as far as Carmelo Anthony takes them. He averaged 35.7 points in the five games before limited to 26 by the Heat.

20
December ranking: 19
Preseason ranking: 25
The Bobcats have gone 4-3 since Kemba Walker’s injury, but need him back in a hurry. After losing to the Suns on Saturday to start a stretch of games against Western Conference playoff teams, they face the Warriors, Spurs and Mavericks.

14
December ranking: 13
Preseason ranking: 15
Even without big men Ryan Anderson and Jason Smith, Anthony Davis just continues to blossom as an all-around force (and potential All Star replacement pick) and the Pels have turned things around lately, winning four of five. They spend most of February on the road, where they are just 9-15.

24
December ranking: 20
Preseason ranking: 19
Averaging 12.8 points and rebounds, Andre Drummond has 34 double-doubles, tops in the Eastern Conference. More remarkable than that, even at 19-27, the Pistons are just a half-game out of a playoff spot.

18
December ranking: 14
Preseason ranking: 16
Kobe Bryant might not be back in time for Dwight Howard’s and the Rockets’ trip to Los Angeles Feb. 19, but the Lakers are finally starting to get some players out of the training room. Steve Nash and Steve Blake could be back on Tuesday with Jordan Farmar not far behind.

21
December ranking: 28
Preseason ranking: 30
Since their four-game winning streak to end December and start January, the Sixers have gone 3-12 and are 1-11 when Michael Carter-Williams is out. They could sink to the bottom of the standings, and top of the lottery chances, if Sam Hinkie jettisons some potentially valuable players – Evan Turner or Spencer Hawes – for assets at the trade deadline.

25
December ranking: 21
Preseason ranking: 27
The Celtics had lost seven of eight games before knocking off the Magic, but with Rajon Rondo looking increasingly back to form, he starting with Avery Bradley to form one of the league’s best defensive backcourt.

26
December ranking: 24
Preseason ranking: 23
Rudy Gay came back from his Achilles strain to average 27 points on 58 percent shooting in the three games since, but DeMarcus Cousins, who also went out in that game against the Rockets, have missed the past six games, all Kings losses.

28
December ranking: 26
Preseason ranking: 18
Whether Luol Deng confided that the Cavs are “a mess” or not, they look the part. They manage the unusual double of being a terrible shooting team that is even worse in transition defense. Kyrie Irving will be a max player, but has not kept the ship from sinking.

27
December ranking: 22
Preseason ranking: 28
Arron Afflalo was considered a solid All Star candidate, but the Magic have the second-worst record in the NBA and have not beaten a team with a winning record in 2014.

29
December ranking: 27
Preseason ranking: 24
A little tip. Next time you schedule a tribute to your Hall of Fame former coach, schedule it on a night playing a team you can beat. Then again, while rebuilding, there are not many of those for the Jazz. A good start would be to play an Eastern Conference team. They are 7-8 against the East; 9-23 against Western Conference teams.

30
December ranking: 29
Preseason ranking: 26
It’s small wonder the Bucks are so excited about Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is wonderfully entertaining, has interesting potential and plays for a team that is 1-15 in 2014, leaving little else to be excited about.